FAQ
Most Popular Questions
You can submit your application at any time before traveling to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security advises submitting travel authorization requests at least 72 hours before departure. Unless revoked, travel authorization remains valid for two years from the approval date or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first.
To continue a partially completed application, visit the ESTA homepage and select âContinue Existing Application,â then choose âIndividual Application.â Retrieve your application by providing either your Passport Number, Date of Birth, and Application Number, or your Country of Citizenship, Passport Issuance Date, and Passport Expiration Date. Once retrieved, you can proceed with completing the application.
Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The Authorization Approved screen displays your travel authorization expiration date.
Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first*. This means that as long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.
Note: Effective July 6, 2023, any new ESTA applications for citizens of Brunei using a Brunei passport will have a maximum validity period of one year.
Note: Effective August 1, 2023, any new ESTA applications for citizens of Hungary using a Hungary passport will have a maximum validity period of one year.
If your ESTA expires while in the U.S. it will not affect your departure.
Note: It is important to PRINT a copy of the document for your records. The printout is not required upon arrival into the United States, as the officers have the information electronically.
Receiving ESTA authorization does not mean you may stay in the U.S. for two years. It only allows you to travel to the U.S. under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which only allows you to stay in the U.S. for 90 days or less. If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
*If you obtain a new passport or change your name, sex or country of citizenship, you will be required to apply for a new travel authorization. This is also required if one of your answers to any of the VWP eligibility questions changes. The associated fee of US $21 will be charged for each new application submitted.
Note: CBP recommends that you apply for ESTA at the time you book your travel, but no less than 72 hours prior to boarding.
The estimated average time to complete this application is 23 minutes.
The Web site will allow applicants to review and correct their data prior to submitting the application, including reconfirming the passport number. Prior to submitting an application with the required payment information, you can correct all application data fields except the passport number, passport issuing country, country of citizenship and date of birth. If an applicant made a mistake on their passport or biographical information he or she will need to submit a new application. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted. Any other mistakes may be corrected or updated by clicking âCheck Individual Statusâ under âCheck ESTA Statusâ. If the traveler made a mistake in answering the eligibility questions, please click on the CBP Info Center Link at the bottom of each page.
You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you:
Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit
Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country
Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier
Have a return or onward ticket
Travel does not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas
Are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Republic of Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan[1]
United Kingdom
Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waive any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
Have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
NOTE: British citizens only with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
[1] With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
An approved travel authorization is not a visa. It does not meet the legal or regulatory requirements to serve in lieu of a United States visa when a visa is required under United States law. Individuals who possess a valid visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose for which it was issued. Individuals traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for a travel authorization.
You can check the status of your ESTA as listed below: Individual Application: To check your ESTA status, go to the ESTA homepage, select “Check ESTA Status “, and then click “Check Individual Status”. You will need to enter either your Passport Number, Date of Birth, and Application Number OR the Country of Citizenship, Passport Issuance Date and Passport Expiration Date. Group Application: To check your ESTA Group status, go to the ESTA homepage, select “Check ESTA Status”, and then click “Check Group Status”. You will need to enter Group ID, Family Name, First (Given) Name, Email Address, and Date of Birth for Group Point of Contact. If you do not know the Group ID, select the link “I do not know my Group ID” to retrieve your Group ID. The three possible responses to an ESTA application are:
Authorization Approved. Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system displays confirmation of the application approval and a payment receipt notice showing the amount or your payment. A travel authorization does not guarantee admission to the United States as a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.
Travel Not Authorized. You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You may apply for a visa from the Department of State for your travel. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits you from traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system also displays a payment receipt notice showing the amount of your payment for the processing of the ESTA application.
Authorization Pending. Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will usually be available within 72 hours. Please return to this Web site and choose “Check ESTA Status,” and then “Individual Application.” Your application number, passport number, and birth date will be required to check the status of your application.
NOTE: Details entered to retrieve an application must exactly match the information entered in the ESTA application. Any discrepancy between information entered to retrieve an application and the information entered in the application itself will result in a No Application Found or Application Expired message.
All payments for electronic travel authorization applications must be made by credit card/debit card or PayPal. The ESTA system currently accepts only the following credit card/debit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover (JCB, Diners Club). Your application will not be submitted for processing until all payment information is received.
A new travel authorization may be required in any of the following circumstances:
The traveler is issued a new passport
The traveler changes his or her name
The traveler changes his or her sex
The traveler’s country of citizenship changes; or
The circumstances underlying the traveler’s previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a “yes” or “no” response have changed.
Travel authorization approvals will typically be granted for a period of two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. ESTA will provide validity dates upon approval of the application. Therefore, a traveler must apply for a new travel authorization when a prior ESTA authorization or an applicant’s passport expires. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted.
ESTA Fee Increase
The fee for travelers intending to travel to the United States with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) has increased from $109 to $139.
The ESTA application fee is made up of two parts, the travel promotion fee and the operational fee.
Congress, through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (PL 116-94), increased the travel promotion fee portion of the ESTA application fee from $80 to $110.
The $29 operational fee retained by CBP has not increased.
CBP systems updates required to collect the new fee amount are scheduled to be effective on May 26, 2022, at approximately 1700 EST
All unpaid ESTA applications in the system after the system update on May 26, 2022, will be subject to the new fee amount of $139.
No, if you already have a valid, approved ESTA you do not need to re-apply. When your ESTA validity period ends and you re-apply for an ESTA, you will be charged the new fee of $139 per application.
About ESTA and The Visa Waiver Program
Before using the Visa Waiver Program, be aware of the following conditions that apply and carefully consider your options:
If you are admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status.
If your admission is denied, you have no right to appeal a determination as to admissibility.
If you are found to have violated the terms of your admission, you also have no right to review or appeal, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
No. The requirements for a nonimmigrant visitor (B1/B2) visa are different under U.S. statute and more complex than the requirements for an ESTA. Applicants for a B1/B2 visa must in most cases undergo an interview with a United States Department of State consular officer, submit their biometric information in advance of travel, and provide additional biographic information not required under ESTA. These requirements do not exist for VWP travelers and will not exist with the addition of new ESTA questions.
No. ESTA travel authorization needs only to be valid upon arrival in the United States.
I have a valid visitor (B1/B2) visa and am traveling to the U.S. for short-term business or tourism under the VWP?
No, you will travel on your visitor visa.
I do not have a visitor visa and am traveling under the VWP for short-term business or tourism?
Yes.
I do not have a visitor visa but I have another type of visa, for example, a student visa (F1), but am traveling under the VWP for short-term business or tourism?
Yes.
I am a citizen of Canada?
No, citizens of Canada who are traveling with a Canadian passport do not need an ESTA.
I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States and a citizen of a VWP country?
No.
I am a citizen (adult or minor) of a VWP country and am visiting the U.S.?
Yes.
I am a citizen of a VWP country and am traveling to the United States by air to transit the U.S.?
Yes. You must apply for ESTA even if you are only transiting the U.S. In the address field of the application, write “In Transit.”
I have dual citizenship from both a VWP country and a non-VWP country?
If you are flying under the terms of the VWP, with your VWP passport, you must apply for ESTA. If you are using your non-VWP country’s passport, you will require a visa and therefore ESTA does not apply to you.
I am a citizen of a VWP country and am going to Guam or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)?
For international travel to Guam/CNMI under the VWP, ESTA is required. Nationalities that are eligible for Guam/CNMI VWP can travel to Guam/CNMI under that program without an ESTA. However, under the Guam/CNMI VWP, the maximum stay is 45 days and stay is restricted to those islands only – travel cannot be to the United States.
Travel from the United States to Guam/CNMI is considered a domestic flight, so no ESTA is required. Travelers go through pre-inspection for travel from Guam/CNMI to the United States. If that travel is under VWP, they need an ESTA.
I am a citizen of a VWP country and am traveling for short-term business or tourism under the VWP to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Yes, ESTA is required for travel to these locations.
I am a U.S. Citizen with dual citizenship in a VWP country?
U.S. Citizens are not required to have an ESTA and are required to use their U.S. passport to travel to the U.S.
If I have a current, valid visa?
Individuals who possess a valid visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose for which it was issued. Individuals traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for an ESTA authorization.
Eligible nationals or citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program require either a travel authorization or a visa to transit the United States. If a traveler is only planning to transit through the United States en route to another country, when he or she completes the travel authorization application in ESTA, the traveler should select “Yes” to the question “Is your travel to the US occurring in transit to another country?”.
No. DHS will be able to communicate a traveler’s ESTA status to the carriers. However, DHS recommends that travelers print out the travel authorization application response in order to maintain a record of their traveler authorization application number and to have confirmation of their ESTA status.
U.S. regulation does NOT require a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) traveler to present a printed copy of the ESTA authorization page in order to travel. However, it is recommended that you print a copy for your records. If you did not receive or cannot locate your application number, you may retrieve the application through the ESTA website by entering your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth.
If your electronic travel authorization is approved, this approval establishes that you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not guarantee that you are admissible to the United States. Upon arrival in the United States you will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry who may determine that you are inadmissible under the Visa Waiver Program or for any reason under United States law.
More information about the Visa Waiver Program can be found on the CBP website and the Department of State website.
The implementation of the ESTA program allowed DHS to eliminate the requirement for Visa Waiver Program travelers arriving by air, land or sea to complete an I-94W prior to being admitted to the United States.
If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air carrier.
If you intend to visit the United States for more than 90 days.
If you believe any grounds of inadmissibility of the Immigration and Nationality Act § 212(a) apply to you, you should apply for a nonimmigrant visa before traveling to the United States.
If you are traveling to the United States for a purpose other than short-term tourism or business.
Visa Waiver Program requirements are:
The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page.
The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.
EXCEPTION: Effective July 1, 2009, Visa Waiver Program countries’ emergency or temporary passports must be electronic passports.
Taiwan [1] passport holders must provide Passport Number and Personal Identification Number (PIN).
NOTE: For citizens of the United Kingdom, only passports indicating British Citizenship are eligible to be used for travel under the Visa Waiver Program. A passport indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (overseas) Citizen or British Protected Person does not qualify for travel without a visa.
[1] With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
If you have any additional passports, please enter the most recent passport information, even if that passport is expired. If you are a dual citizen but do not have a passport from another country, select the country from the drop down list and do not enter anything in the Passport Number field.
Each Visa Waiver Program traveler must have an approved travel authorization for the passport they plan to use before they travel to the United States. If a traveler obtains a new passport, they must submit a new travel authorization application in ESTA using the new passport. A processing fee will be charged for each new application submitted.
If you have dual citizenship and have registered with ESTA, you should use your VWP-eligible passport to board the plane when you leave your country of departure and when you arrive in the U.S. If both your countries of citizenship are VWP-eligible, then we strongly recommend you choose which one you want to claim for purposes of travel to the U.S., and use that country’s passport each time you travel. One person with two different ESTA authorizations creates confusion that will only delay your travel.
If you are a citizen of the U.S., and also of a VWP country, you should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S. passport for your travels. While we are aware that in some cases, naturalized U.S. citizens use their alternate country’s passport to travel, our expectation is that you will use the U.S. passport to travel from another country to the U.S. at both points of travel, departing the foreign country, and arriving into the U.S.
An approved travel authorization is not a visa. It does not meet the legal or regulatory requirements to serve in lieu of a United States visa when a visa is required under United States law. Individuals who possess a valid visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose for which it was issued. Individuals traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for a travel authorization.
To strengthen the security of travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, requirements to travel visa-free have been enhanced. Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries will still be eligible to travel without a visa but will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection have provided a secure public Web site with an automated form for you, or a third party, to complete in order to apply for a travel authorization. Once you enter the required biographic, travel, and payment information on the secure Web site, your application is processed by the system to determine if you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa. The system will provide you with an automated response, and prior to boarding, a carrier will electronically verify with the United States Customs and Border Protection that you have an approved travel authorization on file.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.
ESTA approval authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the United States under the VWP. Private carriers must be a signatory visa waiver program carrier. See list of Signatory Carriers. CBP recommends that you apply for ESTA at the time you book your travel, but no less than 72 hours prior to boarding.
ESTA is not a visa. It does not meet the legal requirements to serve in lieu of a U.S. visa when a visa is required. Travelers that possess a valid U.S. visa may travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose it was issued. Travelers traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for an ESTA. In the same way that a valid visa does not guarantee admission to the United States, an approved ESTA is not a guarantee of admission to the United States.
ESTA became mandatory January 12, 2009. VWP applicants are required to complete a blue Customs declaration upon arrival in the U.S. whether or not they have an ESTA authorization. VWP travelers are no longer required to complete the green I-94W card.
Approved ESTA applications are valid for a period of two years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and multiple trips to the United States without the traveler having to re-apply for another ESTA. When traveling to the U.S. with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time – and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live here. There is no set requirement for how long you must wait between visits.
Travelers whose ESTA applications are approved, but whose passports will expire in less than two years, will receive an ESTA valid until the passport’s expiration date.
A new ESTA authorization is required if:
You are issued a new passport,
You change your name (first and/or last)
You change your sex
Your country of citizenship changes
Your circumstances change, e.g., you are convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or you develop a contagious disease. Such a change may require you to get a visa to travel to the U.S. You must re-apply and your application must reflect the change in your circumstances or you may be denied entry upon arrival in the United States. More information about other ineligibilities can be found on the U.S. State Department website
DHS recommends that you apply for ESTA authorization as soon as you know you will be traveling to the United States under the VWP. If your ESTA expires while in the U.S., it will not affect your departure.
Beginning September 8, 2010, there is a fee required by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (Section 9 of the United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-145). The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (PL 116-94), updated ESTA application fee to $139. The fee is comprised of two parts:
Processing Charge — All applicants requesting an electronic travel authorization are charged for the processing of the application. The fee is US $4.00.
Authorization charge — If your application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, an additional US $17.00 will be added to your payment method. If your electronic travel authorization is denied, you are only charged for the processing of your application.
CBP is not responsible for any third party fees for the transaction.
Note: It is important to PRINT a copy of the document for your records. The printout is not required upon arrival into the United States, as the officers have the information electronically.
The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers admitted under the Visa Waiver Program must agree to waive their rights to review or appeal, as explained in the Waiver of Rights section of the Application screen. See Who is eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program? for further information.
For further information refer to § 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187, and 8 C.F.R. § 217.
If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air carrier.
If you intend to visit the United States for more than 90 days.
If you believe any grounds of inadmissibility of the Immigration and Nationality Act § 212(a) apply to you, you should apply for a nonimmigrant visa before traveling to the United States.
If you are traveling to the United States for a purpose other than short-term tourism or business.
You can find more information about The Act at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Republic of Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan[1]
United Kingdom
NOTE: British citizens only with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
[1] With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you:
Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit
Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country
Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier
Have a return or onward ticket
Travel does not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas
Are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Republic of Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan[1]
United Kingdom
Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waive any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
Have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
NOTE: British citizens only with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
[1] With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
All persons traveling under the Visa Waiver Program are required to have an approved travel authorization prior to traveling to the United States. Even non-ticketed infants are required to have an approved travel authorization, if they do not have a visa for travel to the United States. An application may be submitted by a third party on behalf of a Visa Waiver Program traveler.
The “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” (9/11 Act) amended Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), requiring that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implement an electronic travel authorization system and other measures to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA adds another layer of security that allows DHS to determine, in advance of travel, whether an individual is eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and whether such travel poses a law enforcement or security risk.
The “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” (9/11 Act) amended Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), requiring that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implement an electronic travel authorization system and other measures to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA adds another layer of security that allows DHS to determine, in advance of travel, whether an individual is eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and whether such travel poses a law enforcement or security risk.
The “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” (9/11 Act) amended Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), requiring that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implement an electronic travel authorization system and other measures to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA adds another layer of security that allows DHS to determine, in advance of travel, whether an individual is eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and whether such travel poses a law enforcement or security risk.
The U.S. Department of State designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) on January 12, 2021.
With limited exceptions, a traveler who is found to have visited Cuba on or after this date is not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States.
Additionally, a traveler who at the time of application for an ESTA holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba is not eligible for travel under the VWP using an ESTA and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States.
If an ESTA has already been approved and it is later determined that the traveler has been present in Cuba or holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba, the ESTA will be revoked.
Ineligibility for an ESTA is not a bar to travel to the United States. Individuals who are not eligible to travel under the VWP may apply for a visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate.
For additional information about travel eligibility under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, please visit: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reducing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) validity period for travel by citizens and nationals of Brunei Darussalam (Brunei) due to the Government of Brunei’s inability to satisfy multiple Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements.
Effective July 6, 2023, DHS reduced the ESTA validity period for travel by citizens and nationals of Brunei under the VWP from two years from the date of issuance to one year. This reduction in ESTA validity will only affect new ESTA applications received after the effective date and is not retroactive. Bruneian citizens and nationals who received an approved ESTA prior to July 6, 2023 will not be affected.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reducing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) validity period for travel by citizens and nationals of Hungary due to the Government of Hungaryâs inability to satisfy multiple Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements.
Effective August 1st, 2023, DHS reduced the ESTA validity period for travel by citizens and nationals of Hungary under the VWP from two years from the date of issuance to one year and also limited the validity of an ESTA for nationals of Hungary to a single use. This reduction in ESTA validity will only affect new ESTA applications received after the effective date and is not retroactive. Hungarian citizens and nationals who received an approved ESTA prior to August 1st, 2023 will not be affected.
Completing Your ESTA Application
As a new applicant, you will be able to save a partially completed application by selecting the âSave and Exitâ button on the âApplicant Informationâ page. You will be required to enter information in all required data fields and verify your email address.
No, a valid email address is required to apply for an ESTA.
Yes. Specific travel plans are not mandatory at the time of application, but you will need a U.S. point of contact.
Although specific travel plans are not required, the address where you will be staying in the United States is recommended to complete the application. If multiple locations are planned, you only need to enter the first address. If a complete address is not known, you can enter the name of the hotel or location you will visit.
If you are in transit, please select ‘yes’ to the ‘Is your travel to the U.S. occurring in transit to another country?’ question in the Travel Information section.
Yes, you may use the same email address for multiple applications. However, you will be required to verify the email address for each of the applications.
Diseases
Under United States law communicable diseases of public health significance include:
Cholera
Diphtheria
Tuberculosis, infectious
Plague
Smallpox
Yellow Fever
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, including Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, Crimean-Congo
Severe acute respiratory illnesses capable of transmission to other persons and likely to cause mortality.
Physical or Mental Disorders
With regard to physical or mental disorders, answer “Yes” to this question if:
You currently have a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder that may pose or has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others; or
You had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder that has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others and the behavior is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behavior. Answer “No” if:You currently have no physical or mental disorders; or
You have or had a physical or mental disorder without associated behavior that may pose or has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare of that of others; or
You currently have a physical or mental disorder with associated behavior, but that behavior has not posed, does not currently pose nor will pose a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others; or
You had a physical or mental disorder with associated behavior that posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others, but that behavior is unlikely to recur.
Drug Abusers and Drug Addicts
Under United States law persons may not be admissible if they have been determined to be a drug abuser or drug addict.
For further information refer to § 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(1)(A), and corresponding regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Yes, all applications in your Group must be completed in order to be submitted for payment processing successfully.
Yes, You must upload your passport to continue with your ESTA Application. After successful completion of the photograph, ensure the information populated in the corresponding fields are correct as data entry errors could potentially delay the processing of your ESTA application.
The minimum computer configuration includes:
An internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
All major browsers are supported. Please verify the release of the browser is the most up to date, is able to accept cookies, and has JavaScript enabled.
If a given application in a Group is not completed, the application will be deleted after 7 days.
If you don’t find your country of issue in the drop down menu, make sure you are selecting the correct country. Your “Country of Issue” is the same as your “Country of Citizenship”. For instance, if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, but are getting your passport from the UK Consulate in Hong Kong, the UK is your country of issue. The UK Consulate may be located in Hong Kong, but Hong Kong is not the country issuing you the passport.
Otherwise, if you can’t find the name of your country of issuance or the country of citizenship, then you probably should not be applying for ESTA. Only citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) should apply for ESTA.
If you have dual citizenship and have registered with ESTA, you should use your VWP-eligible passport to board the plane when you leave your country of departure and when you arrive in the U.S. If both your countries of citizenship are VWP-eligible, then we strongly recommend you choose which one you want to claim for purposes of travel to the U.S. and use that country’s passport each time you travel. One person with two different ESTA authorizations creates confusion that will only delay your travel.
If you are a citizen of the U.S. and also of a VWP country, you should not be applying for ESTA. One of the requirements of being a naturalized U.S. citizen is that you apply for, and use, a U.S. passport for your travels. While we are aware that in some cases naturalized U.S. citizens use their alternate country’s passport to travel, our expectation is that you will use the U.S. passport to travel from another country to the U.S. at both points of travel, departing the foreign country and arriving into the U.S.
If you have a true emergency, and are unable to obtain a U.S. Passport before your travels, and only have a VWP-eligible passport, then you will have to apply through ESTA using that passport to travel to the U.S. When arriving at the U.S. airport using the foreign passport, you will have to use the non-resident queue.
Below are some common substitutions in the American English alphabet for unique European letters. You may also refer to the machine readable portion of your passport (with the chevrons <<< >>>) for the universal spelling of your name.
Ă,Ă = ss
ĂŚ = a e
Ăś = oe
Ăź = ue
ĂŤ = e
ä = ae
Ă
= aa
ø = oe
Ăą = n
? = i j
As of November 3, 2014, the additional questions are:
Other Names/Aliases
Other Citizenships
Parents name(s)
National Identification Number (if applicable)
U.S. Contact information (email, phone, points of contact)
Employment information (if applicable)
City of Birth
For citizens of the United Kingdom: If you have applied for a Post-dated passport that will not be valid until after your marriage, you will not be able to apply for ESTA using that passport number until the day of your marriage, when the passport becomes valid. We recommend that you have a friend or relative apply for you if you do not have time between the ceremony and going to the airport. The application process is not complicated and should take no more than 23 minutes.
For travelers from other Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries: If you have received approval to come to the U.S., but then change your name as a result of marriage, divorce, or other legal proceeding, you must re-apply for a new ESTA authorization prior to travel. While we usually suggest applying 72 hours before you travel, we understand that this is one of those circumstances that can make it impossible to do so, and our system will accommodate your situation. The associated fee of US $21 will be charged for each new application submitted.
If you have a passport under one name, but your name has changed since it was issued, you can submit a new application using your old passport number and old name. The new application should show your name as it appears on your passport, but additionally, in response to the question, “Are you known by any other names or aliases?” you should enter your new name. You may travel with a ticket issued in your new name and the passport in your old name, but we strongly recommend you bring a copy of your marriage license, divorce decree or other legal document showing the connection between your new name and the one on your passport.
From the email address verification pop-up window, select the âResend Codeâ button to request a new 4 digit code.
To verify your email address, on the “Applicant Information” page, you will be prompted to request for a 4 digit code if you either select the âSAVE and EXITâ or âNEXTâ button. If your email address is correct and you click on “Send Code”, an email with the 4 digit code is sent to the email address. Once you enter the correct 4 digit code in the application, your email is verified.
The estimated average time to complete this application is 23 minutes.
You will not be able to complete the ESTA application if an email address is not verified.
The website will indicate that the image was unsuccessfully processed and will provide further instructions for acceptable images.
There are a number of things that could be causing you problems. Please ensure that your computer meets the minimum configuration requirements.
The minimum computer configuration requirement for applying for ESTA authorization is an internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption and is able to accept cookies, and has JavaScript enabled.
If your computer meets the minimum configuration requirements and you are still having technical problems, then this could be a web browser or fire wall problem. Check your internet security settings – if they are set too high, they may be blocking access to the ESTA web site. If that doesn’t work try applying from another browser/computer. Finally, some ISPs may be blocked due to spam concerns, and you may have to contact your local internet service provider (ISP) for assistance.
If the system will not accept your passport number, try entering it in without any spaces between the numbers.
If the system will not accept your phone number, try to enter it again, but do not use any brackets such as ( ) or hyphens – or spaces between the numbers.
If the system will not let you go to the next page, the system may have found an error in a required field (such as an invalid Character, skipped a field, etc.) You will not be allowed to continue until these errors have been corrected. If a mandatory field (indicated by a red *) is not filled in properly, the system will continually return you to the current page.
The system WILL NOT accept special characters such as ~ or accent marks – even in a name. Use only the English letters, with no special punctuation. Please enter the name as it appears in the machine readable zone (MRZ) of your passport. This is the two lines of text with numbers and chevrons (<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page with the passport bearer’s picture.
If your computer freezes up and will not let you continue, the problem is most likely with your browser or your computer capacity. You may need to use a different computer.
If you are receiving an Error Message that says “There is already an application with that passport number in the system” it is because you have applied previously and have a valid application with more than 30 days validity. If any of the biographical information is incorrect on the existing application, the application is then invalid and you must click “continue” to proceed with the new application. The associated fee of $21 will be charged for each new application submitted.
If you are still having technical problems, please click on CBP Info Center link at the bottom of the page, click on the “Ask a Question” button on the right side of the CBP INFO Center page and submit a help request. You are required to have an email address for us to respond to. If you do not, ask someone who does to help you. Be sure to describe exactly what is happening (in English), and tell us what internet browser you are using and its version.
If a camera is detected, you will be prompted to select the use of the camera on your device. For an Android device, select the camera icon. For an iOS device, select the option to take a photo or video.
Take a picture of your passport’s entire biographic page and ensure the MRZ is contained within the full width of the photograph. The image should display the MRZ horizontally. Ensure the photo is not blurry, too dark, and the MRZ is readable. If you are satisfied the image is clear, accept it. If not, retake it.
Once you accept the image, a preview of it will appear in a new window. You will have the option to change the orientation of the image if the MRZ is not displayed horizontally. Once the image is successfully added, a new window will appear for you to verify that your information was correctly populated.
If a camera is not detected, upload an image of your passport’s biographic page. Only gif, png, jpg and jpeg file types are accepted. Ensure the photo is not blurry, too dark, and the MRZ is readable. Once the image is successfully uploaded, a new window will appear for you to verify that your information was correctly populated.
You can upload a horizontal image of your passport’s biographic page directly to your ESTA application. Only gif, png, jpg and jpeg file types are accepted.
Create Group Contact Person
To submit a group of applications, select “Group of Applications” under Apply. You will be asked to create a Group Contact Person. When applying for ESTA authorizations for a group of travelers, the following information is required of the applicant, who in this case, is the Group Contact Person:Family name
First (Given) name
Date of birth
E-mail address
Manage Group of Applications
The Group Contact Person will have the option to âAdd New Applicationâ (to begin the process for a new applicant) or âAdd Unpaid Applicationâ (to add an existing unpaid applicant to your group).
Make Payment
When two or more applications are submitted as a group, the group may be paid for any time within 7 days of creating the group. After 7 days, you will be unable to access the applications and Group ID, and the Group Contact Person will have to resubmit them.
Check Status
The Group Contact Person will also have the option to check the status on all applications within a group. If there is a “Pending” response for any application in a group, it will not delay the processing of the remaining applications. Also, the payment receipt will not indicate the total fee amount until all applications return a status of approved or not authorized.
If you are receiving an Error Message that says “There is already an application with that passport number in the system” it is because you have applied previously and have a valid application with more than 30 days validity. If any biographic information is not correct on the existing application, the application is not valid and you must click “continue” to proceed with the new application.
A valid email address is required to be able to complete an ESTA application. Notifications regarding the status of the application are sent to the email address listed in the application. In addition, the ESTA application number is sent to the email address.
Pursuant to Section 214b of the Immigration and Nationality Act, all individuals must demonstrate that they are not intending immigrants into the United States and qualify for visitor or non-immigrant status. Employment information can help demonstrate eligibility under this legal requirement.
Since 9/11, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has evolved from a travel facilitation program concerned about the threat of economic migration to one with more robust security standards that are designed to prevent terrorists and other criminal actors from exploiting the Program. The requirement for all VWP travelers to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States was introduced by The Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2007 (part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, also known as the “9/11 Act”) (Pub. L. No. 110-53) to improve the screening of individual travelers from VWP countries.
DHS must be agile and vigilant in continually adapting to evolving threats and hazards. DHS has not made a significant upgrade to the ESTA application in the six years that the system has been in operation, despite a significant evolution in the terrorist and criminal threats to the United States. DHS has determined that the additional data fields to the ESTA application will enhance DHS’s ability to screen and more accurately and effectively identify travelers who pose a potential security risk to the homeland.
Yes, a valid email address needs to be provided and verified for all applications in your Group. All application numbers will be sent to the one or more valid email addresses provided.Was
Yes, you will receive an email with your application number upon email verification.
All mandatory fields must be completed. If erroneous information is entered this will not result in a mandatory denial, but may require manual adjudication (therefore additional time) prior to CBP providing a response back to the applicant.
Fees and Payment Options
All applicants requesting an electronic travel authorization are charged for the processing of the application. The Fee is US $4.00. If your application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, an additional US $17.00 will be added to your payment method.If your electronic travel authorization is denied, you are only charged for the processing of your application (US $4.00)CBP is not responsible for any additional fees that may be charged by your credit/debit card company or PayPal for the transaction
Yes. When two or more applications are submitted as a group, the group may be paid for any time within 7 days of submitting the second application for that group. After 7 days, you will be unable to access the applications and Group ID, and the Group Contact Person will have to resubmit them.
Single Application Payment:
Yes. You may pay for a single application within 7 days of submitting the application. After that, you will be unable to access the application. If more than 7 days pass after you submit an application and you did not pay the fee, you need to submit a new application.
Multiple Application Payment:
Yes. When two or more applications are submitted as a group, the group may be paid for any time within 7 days of submitting the second application for that group. After 7 days, you will be unable to access the applications and Group ID, and the Group Point of Contact will have to resubmit them.
Yes. The system allows for one payment for a group of two or more applications submitted at the same time. The persons in the group are not required to travel together.
All payments for electronic travel authorization applications must be made by credit card/debit card or PayPal at this time. The ESTA system currently accepts only the following credit card/debit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover (JCB, Diners Club). Your application will not be submitted for processing until all payment information is received.
All payments for electronic travel authorization applications must be made by credit card/debit card or PayPal. The ESTA system currently accepts only the following credit card/debit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover (JCB, Diners Club). Your application will not be submitted for processing until all payment information is received.
You can submit a maximum of 50 applications for one payment. The persons in the groups are not required to travel together.
Yes, there is a fee associated with the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (PL 116-94). The fee is comprised of two parts:
Processing Fee. All applicants requesting an electronic travel authorization are charged US $4 for the processing of the application.
Authorization Fee. If your application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, an additional US $17.00 will be added to your payment method. If your electronic travel authorization is denied, you are only charged for the processing of your application.
CBP is not responsible for any additional fees that may be charged by your credit/debit card company or PayPal for the transaction.
There are a number of third parties that have established websites that charge a fee for submitting your application on your behalf. If you have used one of these third party sites, we strongly suggest you use your application number to confirm with the official U.S. government site to ensure that your ESTA is in our system. We recommend you do this because we have no way of knowing if the information passed through the third party website to us is accurate. If it is not, you may have a problem when you arrive in the U.S.
For instructions on how to look up your ESTA, see the help topic “Checking Your ESTA Status”.
CBP cannot refund the money you paid to a third party website.
Checking Your ESTA Status
DHS has carefully developed the ESTA program to ensure that only those individuals who are ineligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program or those whose travel would pose a law enforcement or security risk are refused a travel authorization. While the ESTA Web site provides a link to the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) Web site, there are no guarantees that a request for redress through DHS TRIP will resolve the Visa Waiver Program ineligibility that caused an applicant’s ESTA application to be denied.
Please note that Embassies and Consulates are not able to provide details about ESTA denials or resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial. Embassies and Consulates will be able to process an application for a non-immigrant visa that, if approved, will be the only way that a traveler whose ESTA application has been denied would be authorized to travel to the United States.
If a traveler is denied ESTA authorization and his or her circumstances have not changed, a new application will also be denied. A traveler who is not eligible for ESTA is not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and should apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Reapplying with false information in order to qualify for a travel authorization will make the traveler permanently ineligible for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
You will receive an expiration notice when your ESTA is about to expire to the email address provided in the application. The email will advise recipients to go to the official ESTA Web site to reapply. See sample notice below:
ESTA Expiration Warning?: ATTENTION! Your travel authorization submitted on (date) via ESTA will expire within the next 30 days. It is not possible to extend or renew a current ESTA. You will need to reapply at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov if travel to the United States is intended in the near future. If there are 30 or more days left on the old authorization you will receive a warning message during the application process and be asked if you wish to proceed.
As a general rule, your ESTA approval is good for multiple entries into the U.S. over a two-year period. Exceptions to this validity period include applicants whose passports will expire before the two year validity period is complete – in which case the ESTA approval is only granted until the expiration date of the Passport.
You can check the status of your ESTA as listed below: Individual Application: To check your ESTA status, go to the ESTA homepage, select “Check ESTA Status “, and then click “Check Individual Status”. You will need to enter either your Passport Number, Date of Birth, and Application Number OR the Country of Citizenship, Passport Issuance Date and Passport Expiration Date. Group Application: To check your ESTA Group status, go to the ESTA homepage, select “Check ESTA Status”, and then click “Check Group Status”. You will need to enter Group ID, Family Name, First (Given) Name, Email Address, and Date of Birth for Group Point of Contact. If you do not know the Group ID, select the link “I do not know my Group ID” to retrieve your Group ID. The three possible responses to an ESTA application are:
Authorization Approved. Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system displays confirmation of the application approval and a payment receipt notice showing the amount or your payment. A travel authorization does not guarantee admission to the United States as a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.
Travel Not Authorized. You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You may apply for a visa from the Department of State for your travel. Please visit the U.S. Department of State Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits you from traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system also displays a payment receipt notice showing the amount of your payment for the processing of the ESTA application.
Authorization Pending. Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will usually be available within 72 hours. Please return to this Web site and choose “Check ESTA Status,” and then “Individual Application.” Your application number, passport number, and birth date will be required to check the status of your application.
NOTE: Details entered to retrieve an application must exactly match the information entered in the ESTA application. Any discrepancy between information entered to retrieve an application and the information entered in the application itself will result in a No Application Found or Application Expired message.
If your ESTA has expired, you must reapply by submitting a new application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Existing authorizations cannot be extended.
You do not need to wait until your ESTA expires to reapply. You may do so at any time. Should you receive the message “A valid, approved application with more than 30 days remaining has been found for this passport. Submitting this application will require payment for this application and will then cancel the existing application.” you will simply continue to begin your new application. Your prior ESTA will be canceled and replaced with your new application.
ESTA approvals are typically granted for a two-year period or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. The approval is good for multiple entries â meaning you may use it for more than one entry into the U.S. ESTA provides validity dates upon approval of the application. The associated US $21.00 fee will be charged for each new application.
If the application is not completed and submitted within 7 days, your application will be deleted.
No. The payment amount will appear once all applications have a status of “Authorization Approved” or “Travel Not Authorized”. If any application in the group returns a status of “Authorization Pending”, the payment amount will be withheld until all the applications in the group have been approved or denied.
If your electronic travel authorization is approved, this approval establishes that you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not guarantee that you are admissible to the United States. Upon arrival in the United States you will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry who may determine that you are inadmissible under the Visa Waiver Program or for any reason under United States law.
When a group is created, one person is designated as the primary contact, which is used for all communication and access to your group of applications. If you are unable to locate a group with your name or email, try using one from another member of your group. NOTE: After six unsuccessful attempts to retrieve your group, the group is locked. To request to have your group unlocked, fill out the form on the following link:Â https://help.cbp.gov/s/questions?language=en_US
Unfortunately, the Department of State is unable to guarantee next-day appointments because of varying demand for visas. Information about the appointment process is available at the nearest consular section or on The Department of State website. As a result, travelers are encouraged to apply for an ESTA approval far in advance of the proposed travel.
The application number is contained in the confirmation email sent upon verifying the email address. To retrieve an Individual Application, go to the ESTA homepage, select âCheck ESTA Statusâ from the navigation menu, and click âCheck individual Statusâ. If you do not know your application number, enter your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth.
NOTE: Details entered to retrieve an application must exactly match the information entered in the ESTA application. Any discrepancy between information entered to retrieve an application and the information entered in the application itself will result in a âNo Application Foundâ or âApplication Expiredâ message.
If you receive a Travel Not Authorized response to your travel authorization application, but wish to continue with your travel plans, please visit The Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa. The denial of a travel authorization only prohibits travel under the Visa Waiver Program and is not a determination of eligibility for a visa to travel to the United States. In the event you are not approved for a travel authorization, no court shall have jurisdiction to review an eligibility determination under ESTA.
Yes. The payment amount will appear once all applications have a status of “Authorization Approved” or “Travel Not Authorized”. If any application in the group returns a status of “Authorization Pending”, the payment amount will be withheld until all the applications in the group have been approved or denied.
Although the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will usually return an Application Status within 72 hours, you will need to check that status on the ESTA website. To check your ESTA status, go to the ESTA homepage and click “Check Existing Application” and then “Check Individual Status”. On the next screen, enter the passport number, date of birth, and application number. If you did not receive or cannot locate your application number, click “I Do NOT know the Application Number”. You will then need to enter your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth. The three possible responses to an electronic travel authorization application are:
Authorization Approved.
Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system displays confirmation of the application approval and a payment receipt notice showing the amount charged to your credit card. A travel authorization does not guarantee admission to the United States as a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.
Travel Not Authorized.
You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You may be able to obtain a visa from the Department of State for your travel. Please visit the United States Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits you from traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system also displays a payment receipt notice showing the amount charged to your credit card for the processing of the ESTA application.
Authorization Pending.
Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will usually be available within 72 hours. Please return to this Web site and click “Check ESTA Status”. Your application number, passport number, and birth date will be required to check the status of your application.
Updating Your Information
An applicant can update the Passport Issuance Date or Passport Expiration Date as long as the application has not been paid for. If an applicant enters the wrong Passport Issuance Date or Passport Expiration Date after having paid for the ESTA application, the traveler will need to re-apply for a new travel authorization. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted. The previous application will be canceled.
Select âContinue Existing Applicationâ from the ESTA homepage and select âIndividual Applicationâ. Then you will need to retrieve your application by entering either your Passport Number, Date of Birth, and Application Number OR the Country of Citizenship, Passport Issuance Date and Passport Expiration Date. Once the application is successfully retrieved, you will be able to complete the application.
The Web site will allow applicants to review and correct their data prior to submitting the application, including reconfirming the passport number. Prior to submitting an application with the required payment information, you can correct all application data fields except the passport number, passport issuing country, country of citizenship and date of birth. If an applicant made a mistake on their passport or biographical information he or she will need to submit a new application. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted. Any other mistakes may be corrected or updated by clicking âCheck Individual Statusâ under âCheck ESTA Statusâ. If the traveler made a mistake in answering the eligibility questions, please click on the CBP Info Center Link at the bottom of each page.
Select âCheck ESTA Statusâ from the navigation menu or âCheck Existing Applicationâ on the homepage.
Retrieving an Individual Application
If you know your application number, enter your passport number, date of birth, and application number.
NOTE: The application number was sent to the email address provided in your ESTA application.
If you do not know your application number, enter your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth.
Retrieving a Group of Applications
To retrieve a group of applications, the following Group Contact Person information is required: Group ID, contact family name, contact first (given) name, contact birth date, and contact email address.
If you do not have the Group ID, select the link “I do not know my Group ID” and it will be sent to the email address provided when the group was created.
Enter the requested information.
Click “Retrieve Application” for the group of applications.
*Group Contact Person – The person who submitted the applications for a group of travelers.
NOTE: You can also access any single application in the group by clicking the “Check Individual Status” under “Check ESTA Status”.
NOTE: Details entered to retrieve an application must exactly match the information entered in the ESTA application. Any discrepancy between information entered to retrieve an application and the information entered in the application itself will result in a âNo Application Foundâ or âApplication Expiredâ message.
My group is locked and I cannot use the Group ID. How can I access my application?
You can access any single application in a group by selecting “Check Individual Status” under “Check ESTA Status.”
You can access any single application in a group by selecting “Check Individual Status” under “Check ESTA Status.”
The application number is contained in the confirmation email sent upon verifying the email address. To retrieve an Individual Application, go to the ESTA homepage, select âCheck ESTA Statusâ from the navigation menu, and click âCheck individual Statusâ. If you do not know your application number, enter your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth.
NOTE: Details entered to retrieve an application must exactly match the information entered in the ESTA application. Any discrepancy between information entered to retrieve an application and the information entered in the application itself will result in a âNo Application Foundâ or âApplication Expiredâ message.
If you obtain a new passport or there is a change to your passport information, you must apply for a new travel authorization and pay the associated fees. See What information can I update? for a full listing of information that can be changed after submission of your application.
A new travel authorization may be required in any of the following circumstances:
The traveler is issued a new passport
The traveler changes his or her name
The traveler changes his or her sex
The traveler’s country of citizenship changes; or
The circumstances underlying the traveler’s previous responses to any of the ESTA application questions requiring a “yes” or “no” response have changed.
Travel authorization approvals will typically be granted for a period of two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. ESTA will provide validity dates upon approval of the application. Therefore, a traveler must apply for a new travel authorization when a prior ESTA authorization or an applicant’s passport expires. The associated fee will be charged for each new application submitted.
Applications can be added to a group (max 50) as long as payment has NOT been made. After a group has been submitted, you have up to 7 days to make payment. Once the group is PAID, you can no longer add applications to the group. To submit more applications, you can either create a new group or submit individual applications. Since the ability to travel with ESTA is not dependent upon how travel partners submitted their applications, it does not matter whether applications are submitted in a group or individually.
Privacy and Security
Information submitted by applicants through the ESTA Web site is subject to the same strict privacy provisions and controls that have been established for similar traveler screening programs. Access to such information is limited to those with a professional need to know.
ESTA application data remains active for the period of time that the approved ESTA is valid, which is generally two years, or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. DHS will then maintain this information for an additional year after which it will be archived for twelve years to allow retrieval of the information for law enforcement, national security, or investigatory purposes. Once the information is archived, the number of officials with access to it will be further limited. This retention is consistent both with CBP’s border search authority and with the border security mission mandated for CBP by Congress. Data linked to active law enforcement lookout records, CBP matches to enforcement activities, and/or investigations or cases, including applications for ESTA that are denied, will remain accessible for the life of the law enforcement activities to which they are related.
DHS has transitioned to a paperless I-94W, therefore the ESTA application data will replace the data that is collected through the paper I-94W. In those instances where ESTA application data is used in lieu of the information collected through the paper I-94W, the ESTA application data will be maintained in accordance with the retention schedule for the I-94W, 75 years.
Information found in social media will enhance the vetting process and may be used to review ESTA applications to validate legitimate travel, adjudicate VWP ineligibility waivers, and identify potential threats. If you choose to answer these questions and an initial vetting by CBP indicates possible information of concern or a need to further validate information, a highly trained CBP officer will have timely visibility of the publicly available information on those platforms, consistent with the privacy settings the applicant has chosen to adopt for those platforms, along with other information and tools CBP officers regularly use in the performance of their duties.
For example, social media may be used to support or corroborate a traveler’s application information, which will help facilitate legitimate travel by providing an additional means to adjudicate issues related to relevant questions about identity, occupation, previous travel, and other factors. It may also be used to identify potential deception or fraud. Social media may help distinguish individuals of additional concern from those individuals whose information substantiates their eligibility for trave
DHS will handle social media identifiers in the same manner as other information collected through ESTA. DHS has documented these procedures in the updated ESTA System of Records Notice (SORN) and Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), which are available on the DHS website (www.dhs.gov/privacy).
Yes. The ESTA system does not retain your credit card information after the transaction is processed.
Yes. This Web site is operated by the United States Government and employs technology to prevent unauthorized access to the information you enter and view. Additionally, this Web site operates under the rules and regulations as specified by the United States Privacy Act and this Privacy Statement to insure the privacy of your information.
The information collected by and maintained in ESTA may be used by other components of DHS on a need-to-know basis consistent with the component’s mission.
Under current agreements between DHS and the Department of State (DOS), information submitted during an ESTA application may be shared with consular officers of DOS to assist them in determining whether a visa should be issued to an applicant after a travel authorization application has been denied.
Information may be shared with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign governmental agencies or multilateral governmental organizations responsible for investigating or prosecuting the violations of, or for enforcing or implementing, a statute, rule, regulation, order or license, or where DHS believes information would assist enforcement of civil or criminal laws. Additionally, information may be shared when DHS reasonably believes such use is to assist in anti-terrorism efforts or intelligence gathering related to national or international security or transnational crime. All sharing will remain consistent with the Privacy Act System of Records Notice, which was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2008 and is available on the DHS Web site.
While carriers will not receive the ESTA application information that travelers provide to DHS, they will receive confirmation of a passenger’s ESTA status via the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) indicating whether an ESTA is required and whether authorization has been granted.
Yes. The ESTA system does not retain your payment information after the transaction is processed.